10-32 or 10-24?

[Taylor]

What does your team use for structural component hardware - 10-32 or 10-24? What are the situational advantages to each? Why do you prefer one thread size to the other?

[Racer26]

In my experience, teams go-to hardware is almost universally 1/4-20.

Increasingly, teams are not using bolts in favour of rivets, though. Particularly those with sheet metal frames.

[MrForbes]

10-32 is normally used for machines, 10-24 is normally used for carpentry.

We use 10-32

[artdutra04]

10-32 for two reasons:

1. 10-32 is the sze of the thread to mount CIM motors
2. 10-24 and 6-32 are the most commonly broken tap sizes due to the ratio of pitch to shank diameter.

[Chris is me]

You already gotta use a bunch of 10-32s, and 1/4"-20 is usually overkill, so it's the obvious choice. If you wanna use 10-24, have fun breaking taps.

[JesseK]

The mechanical leadership on my team wanted to 'standardize' on 1/4-20 this year, until I pointed out that every COTS part we buy is 10-32. So we wound up having both, but standardized the lengths.

[MrForbes]

...and the science teacher who is helping us wants us to use metric hardware.

[who716]

For our team we use a mix of 10-32 10-24 and 1/4 20
Lately however the last few years we have been using slot I aluminum pop rivets
Lighter save the weight

[George C]

We tend to use 10-32 for most applications. 10-32 reduces the strength of the bolt less than 10-24 as the thread is shallower. They also loosen less easily as the thread angle is shallower.

[cadandcookies]

We have large cases full of 1/4-20 and 10-32 nuts and bolts. 1/4-20 is for mounting to the frame, 10-32 is for superstructure and mechanisms. We're gradually getting smaller in our fasteners...

[Whippet]

There needs to be an option for "We have a can of assorted hardware that we pick from and hope fits."

[Michael Hill]

Our team uses both. #10-24 is nice for speed, but sometimes #10-32 are used for things like fine grain control or needing to get as many teeth in mesh as possible. I believe this year, our chain tensioning system uses #10-32 into a helicoil for these reasons. For our drive system, we typically rivet everything since we typically use a sheet metal base. We really try to determine what the right screw is for the job.

[TD78]

Up until last year, we had used 1/4-20 almost exclusively. We made the switch over last year to #10-32 and 3/16" pop rivets based on the recommendations found here on CD. I never thought we would go smaller until using the 2014 VEX chassis...we now have a large collection of #8-32 hardware. Haven't had to go any higher than 1/4" this year, which is only used with the VEX "tube axle" (seriously love the concept). Definitely use #10-32 the most...small, lightweight, everything else others have mentioned so far.

[MechEng83]

Both.

We transitioned away from 1/4-20 several years ago for the weight savings.

10-24 hardware is easier to find/get. 10-32s require 33% more turning to thread the same distance compared to a 10-24. We use 10-32 when we interface with COTS items that use that pitch.

[DampRobot]

10-32. All the things others mentioned, plus you can tap them into thinner material and still get the required six threads of engagement.